Diane Richards

In the style of The Paris Wife and The Personal Librarian, this debut novel reimagines the early years of Ella Fitzgerald, one of the greatest singers of the twentieth century. After her mother dies in 1932 during the Depression, fifteen-year-old Ella works for the mob to support her family. Caught by the law, she is sent to the harsh New York Training School for Girls. Determined to be free, Ella escapes to Harlem, where she dances for pennies. She takes a chance to sing at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night in 1934, which launches her career. By age twenty-one, she becomes America’s bestselling female vocalist. Diane Richards’ portrayal of Ella is emotionally rich and complex, depicting her struggles with racism, sexism, and personal trauma. The novel spans from the brothels and streets of Depression-era New York City to the grand hotel suites of her later years, where she confronts her childhood demons. Ella is a compelling and historically detailed debut about an extraordinary woman’s life.